Steve Bruce sacked by Blackpool after poor start to the 2025/26 League One season that left them second from bottom.
Blackpool sack veteran boss Steve Bruce after poor start.
After a dismal start to the League One season, Blackpool fired veteran manager Steve Bruce after just one year in command.
In September 2024, the 64-year-old, who has managed more than 1,000 games, took Neil Critchley’s place at Bloomfield Road.
There were great expectations for a promotion drive this season after he led them to a ninth-place finish the previous season.
But Saturday’s loss to AFC Wimbledon at home put them in second place and was their seventh loss in 11 league games.
First-team coach Stephen Clemence and assistant head coach Steve Agnew have also departed the squad, leaving coaches Steve Dobbie and Steve Banks under temporary leadership until a replacement is found.
After AFC Wimbledon defeated them 2-0 at home, Bruce declared his team “were nowhere near what’s required” as they were jeered off.
“I can try and make as many excuses as I want but it’s not in my nature to do it,” he told Bruce to BBC Radio Lancashire.
“Today we were nowhere near what’s required of what we need to be and for that I need to take responsibility.”